Nearly 400 La Cueva High School seniors were celebrated Wednesday at a graduation ceremony at Tingley Coliseum.
It was an emotional afternoon as parents, friends and families beamed with pride as students walked the line to receive their diplomas from Principal Dana Lee.
Lee began the festivities with a welcome speech, which was followed by “Pomp and Circumstance” and the national anthem.
Senior class officers welcomed guests, and Valedictorian Mario Sumali delivered an impressive speech.
Following a performance by the La Cueva concert choir, students were presented with their diplomas as tears flowed and cheers filled the Coliseum.
Senior class officers then provided a farewell address, and Lee delivered some concluding remarks, congratulating her now-former students.
The graduating class then stood, moved their tassels and tossed their caps in the air, saying goodbye to high school and stepping into their future.
After the event, graduates were greeted in the parking lot by scores of loved ones.
A beaming Erin Jones was happy and looking forward to the future. The star volleyball player is heading to St. John’s in the fall.
“I’m definitely relieved, and I’m ready for a new chapter of my life,” Jones said. “It’s a little bit scary leaving everything that you know, where I’ve grown up with, but I’m really excited.”
